Fifth-year senior defensive end & Marmion Academy alumnus Larry English has played in Northern Illinois season openers at Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State and at Soldier Field against Iowa and has a pretty good idea of what several true freshman will feel tonight when the team opens against Minnesota at the 64,500-seat Metrodome
Coming out of high school, you don¹t get the whole grasp of it until you make the trip.
My first trip to Maryland (and 51,500-seat Byrd Stadium) was the main one.
It was that much more exciting because I had never seen anything like it.
When I ran out on the field at Maryland I kind of just looked up and I saw how high the stands went up and all those people screaming and yelling.
That's a memory I¹ll have forever. To this day, that¹s one of the most vivid pictures I've got, that first time, running out on the field in front of that many fans at such a big venue.
Year in and year out (the opener) is always something you look forward to.
It¹s always something you've got circled on your calendar and you¹re watching that countdown clock in the lockerroom that says "only 89 days to." You watch that clock the whole year.
I remember in the third quarter of that game (defensive end) Ken West got a sack and forced a fumble. (Linebacker) Jason Hawkins picked up the fumble and took it back for a touchdown. I sprained my ankle on that play but I¹m running down the field, limping.
Editor's note: English missed several games then was injured in practiced and was granted a medical redshirt season.
English Class will appear Wednesday's during college football season, except for this one.
Rick Armstrong 
Jim Owczarski 
Mike Knapp 